What is your hobby? This is such a simple question, right? Everyone has a hobby. But last month, a close friend asked me this question and I couldn’t find an honest answer.
I was so surprised when I was faced the fact that I didn’t have any activity I did for fun. To cut the long story short, I started working very early. I got my first official job when I was 17 and before that, as the eldest daughter, I literally raised my siblings. I remember being ten years old and going to pick them up from school, make lunch, help them with their Homework and more, until my mum returned home in the evening. Then, I use to get distracted and often forgot what I should do so my mum drew a timetable to guide me through my day, what to do and when to do it. What I am trying to say is that for the longest time “work” has been the definition for my life.
I enjoy reading though. I have always enjoyed it from those Cinderella story books, to Chike and the River and now, I like literary works. But the thing is, I am also working as a writer so reading isn’t exactly for fun anymore.
The friend who asked this question has many hobbies. He plays the guitar. He draws and paints. He loves hiking, riding his bicycle, swimming, and birdwatching. When I told him that I didn’t have hobbies, he said “you must find something to do besides work.” I totally agree with him. Too much of my life has been defined by work. If I am not working, I’ll be pressing my phone. Which kind life? I decided I was going to find new hobbies but how? I am already a homebody. The perfect definition of a couch potato. I know there are many people like me out there. All we do is work or scroll through Twitter and Instagram and watch Netflix.
The first step in finding new hobbies is to keep an open mind. The first day my friend said let’s go bird watching, I was like which one is bird watching again? But guess what? I totally enjoyed it. I have gone with him a few times. I joined him to go hiking and now, I am planning to learn how to swim. I haven’t found any activity I can call my hobby yet but so far, leaving the house and doing something that is not work has been so good for me physically and mentally.
If you are like me, better get up from your bed, go out and find something else to do besides working and pressing your phone. Your future self will thank you for it!